projets

Design and Synthesis of Specific Inhibitors of CYP26 for Blocking Retinoic Acid Metabolism: A Safer Approach to Retinoid Therapy for Skin Disease Year Two

Acne is a common human skin disease which is highly prevalent during adolescence, and often continues into adulthood. Retinoids, such as isotretinoin (Accutane/Roaccutane), have been particularly effective systemically in the treatment of acne. Although, millions of patients have been treated with Accutane/Roaccutane which for many years generated more than $1B U.S. in annual sales, the side effects, such as birth defects and inflammatory bowel disease, can sometime be severe. The market opportunity of an effective treatment with a better safety profile than isotretinoin is significant. This proposal seeks to develop an alternative treatment for skin disorders, such as Acne, that will have significant safety advantages over current retinoid therapies. The partner company will benefit by acquiring new knowledge from the training and expansion of skills of the candidate, gain co-inventor status, and potentially develop new partnerships with dermatology-focused pharmaceutical companies.